New houseplant care kits, mirroring human skincare routines with steps such as cleanse, hydrate, serum, and tone, are now available. These kits are presented as a way to achieve lush plants and are often marketed as gifts.
However, the necessity of a multi-step routine for plant health is being questioned. While cleaning dust from leaves is genuinely beneficial for light absorption, a damp cloth can achieve this effectively. Hydrating and feeding steps in these kits are reportedly no different from standard plant care practices.
Some products, like serums designed to shine foliage, may clog the stomata, which are tiny pores plants use for breathing. The verdict suggests that the most useful steps in these routines are those already part of basic plant care: consistent cleaning, hydration, and sensible feeding.